Nursing Home Operator Held

The operator of three nursing homes in Harbor City and Lomita was arrested Friday and charged with a total of 21 health and safety code violations, including operating a residential care facility for the elderly without a license.

After Sonia Nelson, 46, was taken into custody, inspectors entered one of the facilities she operates in Harbor City and found three elderly women tied to their beds, the Los Angeles city attorney's office said.

No residents were found at either of the two other facilities, authorities said.

Nelson will be arraigned Monday in Municipal Court on charges filed by the city attorney. On Feb. 10, she is scheduled to be arraigned on separate charges filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.